Now she heard the following words sadly sung,— <br /> <br />“Life is a shadow that flits away <br />In a night of darkness and woe.” <br /> <br />But then would follow brighter thoughts: <br /> <br />“Life has the rose’s sweet perfume <br />With sunshine, light, and joy.” <br /> <br />And if one stanza sounded painfully— <br /> <br />“Each mortal thinks of himself alone, <br />Is a truth, alas, too clearly known;” <br /> <br />Then, on the other hand, came the answer— <br /> <br />“Love, like a mighty flowing stream, <br />Fills every heart with its radiant gleam.” <br /> <br />She heard, indeed, such words as these— <br /> <br />“In the pretty turmoil here below, <br />All is a vain and paltry show.” <br /> <br />Then came also words of comfort— <br /> <br />“Great and good are the actions done <br />By many whose worth is never known.” <br /> <br />And if sometimes the mocking strain reached her— <br /> <br />“Why not join in the jesting cry <br />That contemns all gifts from the throne on high?” <br /> <br />In the blind girl’s heart a stronger voice repeated— <br /> <br />“To trust in thyself and God is best, <br />In His holy will forever to rest.” <br /> <br />But the evil spirit could not see this and remain contented.<br /><br />Hans Christian Andersen<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/from-the-philosopher-s-stone/
